Gucci has unveiled a brand new café and cocktail bar in the historic city of Florence. Situated in the beautiful Piazza della Signoria at the heart of the Tuscan capital, Giardino 25 is just around the corner from where the luxury Italian fashion house set up its very first shop over a century ago.
The stylish bar is the latest addition to the Gucci Garden – an immersive space designed by the label’s creative director, Alessandro Michele, which includes a gourmet restaurant by Massimo Bottura, gallery and boutique.
As you would expect from the world-renowned brand, the interiors are seriously special. Taking inspiration from one of the previous tenants who worked as a florist in the building, the timeless space is evocative of an Italian flower shop with vibrant floral arrangements dotted throughout.
Ideal for whiling away a lazy afternoon, the cozy bar space features thoughtful design details reminiscent of the late 18th century from the bespoke boiserie and shiny marble surfaces to the immaculate oak parquet flooring. Pops of color come from the elegant mustard paneling and sumptuous leather-upholstered peacock blue chairs and sofas.
The timeless space is evocative of an Italian flower shop with floral arrangements dotted throughout / ©Gucci
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Open from 8am until 1am, guests can visit throughout the day for breakfast, a light lunch or afternoon tea. Prepared at the on-site kitchen, the gourmet menu draws heavily on local, seasonal produce from the Tuscan countryside.
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The star of the show, however, is the drinks list. Helmed by Umbria-Born mixologist, Martina Bonci, the bold, colorful cocktails reflect the fashion house’s flair for inventiveness.
“My intent was to infuse our signature drinks with the creativity and codes of the House representing its beautiful complexity,” Bonci explains. “Throughout the process, I was inspired by visits to the ArtLab (where prototypes of Gucci leather accessories are realized), the Gucci Archive and the Gucci Garden Archetypes exhibition (currently on display at the Gucci Garden Gallery) which allowed me to fully dive into Gucci’s magical universe. The attention and care for raw materials, the burst of authentic colors and passion for innovation are the values that guided me through the creation of the 12 drinks.”
The ‘Mèmoire di negroni’ cocktail created by Martina Bonci / ©Gucci
When it comes to choosing her favorites, Bonci highlights Mèmoire di negroni. Why? “It’s a tribute to Florence, where the over a century-old Italian Negroni is said to have originated,” she says. “This drink has a true connection to the city, home to Gucci, and home to one of the most beautiful squares in the world, that now hosts Giardino 25.”
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And for teetotalers, Bloom is not-to-be-missed. Made with beet, raspberry, lemon and Seedlip Garden 108, the fruity mocktail is so refreshing you won’t notice it’s alcohol-free.
Beyond the new cocktail bar, during a visit to the Gucci Garden guests can also stop by at the gallery to learn more about the fashion house’s history, indulge in some retail therapy at the boutique store and sample the culinary delights of talented chef Karime Lopez at the Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura restaurant.
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